From:
"Jeff"
Date: 2009-10-26 21:15:24 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] revolution or something for mosquito bites an fleas
To: <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
This is a repost of mine from this summer. It may help.
Jeff
In Memory of Neo and Mr. Parker
Caring for Trinny, Morphy, Baby Girl, Luna, Dozer, and Possum the Million Dollar Ferret
We used to give our ferrets a full cat-sized dose (cats 5-15 lbs) of Revolution monthy during the mosquito season (6 months of the year), as a preventative for heart worm. This year, after some research, my vet was hesitant to prescribe it, as his research led him to conclude that 12 - 18 mg. of selamectin per kg of weight monthy is sufficient to prevent heartworm, as well as take care of fleas, ticks, ear mites, and anything else. A full vial of cat-sized Revolution is .75 ml of liquid and contains 45 mg of selemectin (per the Revolution website). Thus, if you believe the research that my vet refers to, then a full tube of the cat-sized Revolution contains approximately three times the necessary monthly dosage of selemectin to prevent heartworm in a 1-kg ferret.
I have one study saved on my computer, and can send it to anyone interested. I have also seen another study, but did not save it. I'm not at home for a few days, so I can't really look for the one I don't have, but I can send out the other one as a PDF attachment to anyone interested. But my personal conclusion from the study that I have and the other one I read, plus my vet's information, is that 18 mg. of selemectin monthly for a 1-kg ferret should be quite enough to prevent heartworm. Thus, this year I have gone from giving a full dose of cat-sized Revolution monthy to giving a half-vial monthly per ferret. All of our ferrets are pretty close to the 1-kg weight level. The half-vial dispenses approx. 22 mg of the selemectin, more than enough, in my belief, to protect them.
I did not see any adverse reactions in the two years that we used a full vial (45 mg. of selemectin monthly). However, my vet believes that long-term overmedication with selemectin could lead to some problems, as can over-dosing with most meds. I have to believe him on this one, and my personal comfort level for keeping our 6 ferrets safe from heartworm has decreased accordingly. My vet feels that even the half-vial is too much, but I'd rather go a little over the 18 mg. monthly than a little under, so he capitulated.
Here is the link to the information on Revolution, directly from their website:
http://www.revolution4cats.com/default.aspx?sec=Prescribing%20Information
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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